Saturday is Caturday: Special Report-Tigers and Conservation Efforts

Bhutan has seen a remarkable 27% increase in its tiger population since 2015, with the latest survey estimating the presence of 131 tigers in the country. This significant conservation success is attributed to the country's long-term commitment to preserving its natural environment, including maintaining over half of its land under forest cover. The increase in tiger numbers is the result of a collective effort involving the Royal Government of Bhutan, non-governmental organizations such as WWF-Bhutan and The Bhutan Tiger Center. These have all played a crucial role in monitoring and researching the tiger population, leading to new insights and the discovery of tigers in regions not previously known to host them.

Globally, the tiger population has also seen a significant increase in recent years. As of 2023, the Global Tiger Forum estimates the population of wild tigers to be around 5,574, which is a 74% increase since 2010 when the population was at an all-time low of about 3,200 individuals. This increase in tiger numbers is a result of advancements in how we invest in and monitor tigers, with notable increases observed in countries like Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Russia.

India, in particular, has played a significant role in this conservation success. The All India Tiger Estimation Report 2018 showed that the tiger population in the country grew from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2018. This increase is attributed to Project Tiger, better management, precise counting methods, and the expansion of tiger reserves from 28 in 2006 to 50 in 2018. Specific reserves, like the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, have also seen success in reestablishing tiger populations through relocation efforts.

The countries that have seen the biggest increase in tiger population are India, Russia, Bhutan, Nepal, and China. India has the largest tiger population in the world, with the number of tigers rising above 3,000 in 2023. This is a significant increase from 1,411 in 2006. Russia has also seen an increase in its tiger population. The latest national tiger census conducted in the country in 2015 estimated around 480 wild tigers, showing a slight increase from the previous survey conducted in 2005, which placed the tiger population at around 360. Nepal has nearly doubled its tiger population from 121 individuals in 2009 to 235 in 2018. China, which had no more than 20 wild tigers in 2010, has seen a resurgence of its tiger population, with tigers breeding in the country again and dispersing into new areas.

These increases in tiger populations are the result of collective efforts involving governments, local partners, communities, and non-governmental organizations, as well as advancements in how we invest in and monitor tigers. 

However, despite these positive trends, challenges remain, including habitat decline due to human activities and threats from poaching. Tigers are still threatened, but it is important to support and focus on what can be done, curbing poaching, and passing laws that make owning a tiger illegal. A decrease in demand would begin to stop poachers from capturing them and selling them as captive pets. 

I'd like to focus on the positives. Tigers are breeding and thriving again; that is some positive news in Big Cats.